b92-248-31689663

xt7n2z12p22f https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7n2z12p22f/data/mets.xml Stewart, Anna Bird. 1912 books b92-248-31689663 English Samuel French, : New York : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Belles of Canterbury : a Chaucer tale out of school : a play in one act for eleven girls / by Anna Bird Stewart. text Belles of Canterbury : a Chaucer tale out of school : a play in one act for eleven girls / by Anna Bird Stewart. 1912 2002 true xt7n2z12p22f section xt7n2z12p22f

THE BELLES OF

CANTERBURY

A CHAUCER TALE OUT OF SCHOOL

2l Plan in One Ect for Eleven 1trio

ANNA BIRD STEWART,

A.M.

DLI)ICATll) l ()
M 1IS8 1) 0 I()I'l-IY' ('ON R F V

CoPyRIrIII 1912 BY SAMUEL FRENCH

NOTICE. -The Professional acting rights of this play are reserved by
the publisher, and permission for such performances must be ob-
tained before performances are given. This notice does not apply
to amateurs, who may perform the play without permission. All
professional unauthorized productions will be prosecuted to the
full extent of the law.

PRICE 25 CENTS

NEW YORK
SAMUEL FRENCH
PU'BLISH1ER
28-3( ,NVSTX;:)I STiREE T

LONDON
SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD.
26 SOUTHAMPTON STREET
ST'RAND

This page in the original text is blank.

THE

BELLES OF CANTERBURY

PERSONS IN THE PLAY.

FRESHMAN
SOPHOMORE
JUNIOP R .......... .Pupils at a girls' school
SENIOR )

CHARACTERS FROM THE CANTERBURY
TALES.

WIFE OF BATH ................ From the Prologue
PRIORESS .................... " "
FIRST UN ...................
SECOND NUN..................
EMIiLY .................. From the Knight's Tale
HIPPOLYTA........ 9
GRISELDA ............... " Clerk's "

COSTUMES.

Tle simplicity of the costuming as well as of the
:tavgre setting makes the play an easy one for amateurs
to p)roduce.
Tlilie dress of the four school girls should be as
modern as possible. Their hair should be elaborately
arranged.
3

4 THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

HIPPOLYTA should wear the dress of an Amazon,
armor if possible, or a short skirt, sandals laced high
with crossed strings, waist to match the skirt, a crown,
and a shield on the left arm. The shield can be
made by gilding or covering a barrel-head with silver
paper.
EmnIY wears a long gown of pale dull green cheese
cloth, falling straight from the shoulders and girded
in at the waist by a curtain cord. She must have
fair hair which should be braided down her back.
GRISELDA should wear a similar costume of pale
gray and lavender, with a tall headdress of wire cov-
ered with white gauze and tinsel.
The WIFE OF BATH wears a short skirted costume
of very bright colors, red stockings, very broad shoes,
a straw hat with a broad brim and no trimming, if
possible one of the sun.hats worn by farmers.
The PRIORESS and her NUns wear black skirts and
white waists. Over this they wear black scholastic
gowns such as are worn by graduates of academies
and colleges, girded in with a leather strap. A yard
of white cloth cut down one side for about ten inches,
and then a circle cut out of the center, makes the
white guimpe for the NUN, the curved part being put
under the chin. and the two cut ends fastened on top
of the head. A second piece of white cloth is bound
across the forehead for a bandeau. Two vards of
black material make the Yeil which falls on either
side of the face and dowir the back.

THE

BELLES OF CANTERBURY

SCENE:-A school room or in the room of one of the
girls if preferred. If possible, a piano is in-
eluded in the furnishings, which may be as elab-
orate or as simple as desired. Two entrances
must be provided, one covered by a square frame-
work supposed to represent a bookcase. Books
are across the top. In front of it hangs a full
curtain.
It will be very effective to have the frame-work
representing the bookcase directly in the center
of the stage at back, so that it is in full view of
the audience. A table with books, etc., can be
placed at one side of the stage. A few chairs
can be set around the room but not in a way to
hide the bookcase.
As the Curtain Rises SOPHOMORE and FRESH-
MAN are seated at the table.
SOPHOMORE. Now, the Seniors weren't that way
last year. You're only a Freshman, so of course you
can't judge, but I never saw so slow a class as this
year's, why they haven't said a word about the enter-
tainment, and yet everyone knows they ought to give
us a Thanksgiving party. (any other festival can be
substituted here)
FRESH3MAN. A party What do they have to eat
SOPHOMIORE. They're not likely to have anything
5

THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

this year. I f I lsa(l known that last Tlinkagiving 1
vouid have eaten twice as much. I haven't anything
to be thankful for.
FRESTIMA-.Y-. But you passed in History. Why
don't you tell the Seniors what they ought to do
SoI'Iio-roRE. Sh- here comes one of them. (rises
and goes to meet SENIOR)
(Enter SENIOR, tired out, she sits down with a great
sigh of relief.)
FRESHMAIN and SOPHOMORE. What's the matter
SENIOR. Matter Why, I'm half dead thinking.
SOPHOMORE. (giggles) Thinking !
SENIOR. Say, did you ever hear the word Sopiho-
moric (severely) That's the sort of a joke that
was.
FRESHMAN. What were you thinking about
SENIOR. Trying to get up some new and original
kind of a Thanksgiving party for the school.
SOPHOMORE. You darling! (embraces her)
FRESHMAN. We were afraid you had forgotten.
SENIOR. (rises and joins others) I wish I could
forget for a while but they made me chairman of the
committee so I have to get up something. If I can't
think of any thing better we'll have an ordinary spread
and get just what everybody likes.
SOPHOMORE. Grand! Welsh rarebit for me.
FEShI;IMA-N'. I want chocolate eclaires.
SENIOR. We ought to ask one of the Juniors too,
that wouldn't be enough variety.
SOPHOMORE. Ask Laurine.
SENIOR. Where is she
FRESHMIAN . She told me she was going to study
her Chaucer.
SENIOR. She didn't mean it. She never does.
SOPHOMORE. (going to door and calling) Lau-
rine, Laurine.
JUN-IOR. (outside) All right.

THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

SENIOR. Maybe she's thinking up a new class sou-
venir to go with their rings and hatpins and pins and
banners.
FRESHMAN-. Tell her we want to ask her advice,
then she'll hurry.
SOPHOMORE. (calling) Laurine, how soon are
you coming
JUNIOR. (beginning before she enters with a Chau-
cer in her hand) "Whan that Aprille with his
shoures soote "-I came much more quickly than I'll
ever get that old stuff in my head. (she throws the
book down)
SENIOR. Don't you like Chaucer We just loved
him.
JUNIOR. So do all the rest of our class except me.
I just can't get him into my head.
SOPHOMORE. Poor thing! I should hope not.
SENIOR. What wculd you like to eat at the Thanks-
giving spread
JUNIOR. Eat! Everything you're going to have.
(suspiciously) This isn't one of those stupid puns
on Chaucer is it
SOPHOMORE. I should say not.
FRESHMAN. We are helping make out the menu.
There's Welsh rarebit and chocolate &claires already.
JUNIOR. Have you any angel food
SOPHOMORE. Oysters!
FRESHMAN. Fudge!
SENIOR. And olives. Quick, give me a pencil so
I can write it down. (goes to table and writes)
JUNIOR. Hurrv, before the bell rings. That's
much more fun to talk about than Chaucer. I'm glad
I didn't live in his day. Imagine being praised for
not putting sour fingers in the gravy and spotting up
your shirt front! T wager that old Prioress wvas a
stick. T shouldn't want her on our basket hall tealt.
There isn't a sensible womani in the whole of Chau-
cer so far as I can see. (the curtain at the front of

8 THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

the bookcase begins to shake slightly, becoming more
violent as the JUNIOR continues) The Wife of Bath
was a regular Mormon, five husbands, that's what
she had, and she wore red stockings. Such taste!
SENIOR. (rises and goes to JUNIOR) Laurine,
don't talk so much. Come help us decide between dill
pickle and strawberry jam, we can't have both.
SOPHOMORE. Laurine car't help talking. Her
whole class does it.
JUNIOR. And what about your class, Miss And
the angelic Seniors They never talk, do they.
Thank Goodness, we're not like that old patient
Griselda in Chaucer. She was afraid to open her
head.
FRESHMAN. I think you know a lot about Chaucer.
I never will remember all those names.
JUNIOR. Oh, there are a lot more of them. One
was a silly girl named Emily. She didn't do any-
thing but have " hair a yard long I guess" and for
that she had two lovers. I am going to get a hair
tonic. That's how silly men were in Chaucer's day,
before they learned how to play football, or had fra-
ternities.
SOPHOMORE. Oh, girls, if you .had only seen the
hero in the matinee yesterday. He was simply
grand! And he had such pretty curly hair.
(The bell rings.)
SENIOR. I know I could think of lots more things
to eat if I only had more time.
SOPHOMORE. Well, come on, I have to go to His-
tory. (she starts out)
FRESHMIA&X. Wait for me.
(Exeunt SENIOR, SOPHOMORE and FRESHMAN.)
JUNIOR. Here's where I die. Where's that hateful
book It won't do any good to lose it, there are a
dozen more copies in the bookcase. (sings)

THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

"Hang Geof Chaucer on a sour apple tree,
Hang Geof Chaucer on a sour apple tree,
Hang Geof Chaucer on a sour apple tree,
Our teacher marks us on! "
(exit as she sings)
(The curtain in front of the bookcase shakes more
violently than before. Then frosa behind the
curtain comes the voice of the WIFE OF BATH.)
WIFE. Ladies, I prithee harkneth for the best.
Can Chaucer's children swich words hear,
and rest
This is the point, to speken short and pleyn,
We, one and all, were used with desdeyn.
(She comes out of the bookcase.)
Come forth and whan we've made our
reckoning
That girl perchance another tune will sing.
(Enter the PRIORESS.)
What word, sweet Eglantine, would you
employ
To tell us of your vengeful wrath
PRIORESS. (with deep intensity) St. Loy!
WIFE. Then Chaucer's uttered sooth about her
oath !
Odsbodikins! That cannot do us both!
PRIORESS. Come hider, my two nonnes to my
side,
Till that my mighty anger shall sub-
side.
(Enter two NUNTS who stand on either side of the
PRIORESS.)
That girl, alas! hath made my speech
too tarte
Who once was conscience al and
tendre herte.

IO THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

o Emelye, whose hair is in a tresse
Behynd your back, a yarde long.
WIFE. (aside) I guesse.
(Eonter EMILY.)
PRIORESS. 0 Emelye, let that hair's golden ray
Shine on our vengeance ere another
day.
EMILY. The path of duty plain is to be seen.
(Enter HIPPOLYTA, the queen.)
EMILY. Ladies, this is Hippolyta, the queen.
(They all bow, the PRIORESS with delicate grace, the
WIFE with a clumsy courtesy.)
EMILY. My sister is a famous Amazon.
HIPPOLYTA. I have no grievance, but I want the
fun.
PRIORESS. In courtesye lay ever my desire.
(Aside to NUNS.)
How charming with a real queen to
conspire.
FIRST NUN. Madame, your smiling is full simple.
SECOND NUN. And coy.
WIFE. Come, how can we that saucy wight de-
stroy
EMILY. (musingly)
She, as a servant, would befit my station.
FIRST NUN. (to PRIORESS) Or feed your hounds.
(The SECOND NUN nods in agreement.)
PRIORESS. (catching sight of the WIFE'S look of
disapproval-aside) Or scour her reputation!
WIFE. Pray, madam, if it's all the same to you
Perhaps the rest would like a word or two.
PRIORESS. I fear you ask too little, for I know
That you have answered "yes" five
times or so!

THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

WIFE. A spiteful thing! Perhaps if you'd had
one,
He might have taught you how to curb
your tongue.
(There is a weak cry from the bookcase.)
EMILY. Surely 'twas not to quarrel that we came.
(A second cry from the bookcase)
PRIORESS. Hark. 'Tis a voice I hardly dare to
name.
(Enter from behind the curtains, GRISELDA.)
ALL. (as GRISELDA appears) Griselda!
HIPPOLYTA. (disapprovingly)
You for patience always quoted!
GRISELDA. 'Twas only to my Duke that was de-
voted.
Now, further patience would but be
disgrace.
I move we put that Junior in our
place!
(ALL signify emphatic agreement.)
ALL. Where is she
FIRST NUN. That, alas, we none can tell.
SECOND NUN. Heaven help us!
(A bell rings outside.)
PRIORESS. Hark! the ringing of the bell.
(They draw into the background as the JUNIOR comes
in. She throws the Chaucer on the floor. All
the Canterbury characters jump and cry out as
if in pain as it hits the ground.)
JUNIOR. I knew that I didn't know a word of that
Chaucer lesson. I don't believe English people ever
spoke like those old Canterbury pilgrims. If I
studied a year I'd never know whether a letter was

12 THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

silent or wasn't silent. I think it ought all to be
made silent, and I think we ought to be allowed to
read George Barr McCutcheon or somebody inter-
esting instead of old fogies that died in- Dear me!
When did old Chaucer die anyway

(The PRIORESS comes forward with dignity and
speaks to the evident wonder of the JUNIOR.)
PRIORESS. Mademoiselle, were you from Strat-
ford-at-the-Bowe,
Where I learned French, some man-
ners you might know.
JUNIOR. Bats in my belfry all right.
PRIORESS. Alas, my child, try while that you are
yonge
To make your Englislhe sweet upon
the tonge.
You should speak always in fair
Charity.
WIFE. Yea, but how harshly did you speak of me!
JUNIOR. I'm blessed if I know what you are, so
how could I say anything
HIPPOLYTA. We are Dan Chaucer's children, he
who hath
But love for all men.
WIFE. I'm the wife of Bath.
What did you say of me What did you
say
(JUNIOR looks around wildly.)
EMILY. Look out, be careful, or she'll run away.
JUNIOR. Honest, you've got me so muddled I don't
know what I'm doing. Do you want me to believe
that you're people out of a book Why those old
Canterbury Tales' characters never did live, Chaucer
just made them up. If you aren't somebody dressed
up to tease me, I've got 'em.

THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

PRIORESS. Ladies, hear that which maketh the
last straw.
I plead for justice and demand the
law.
Not live, when we are deathless
Chaucer, dear,
I pray that you that heresy can't hear!
HIPPOLYTA. Hark one and all, while judgment I
pronounce:
If that this maid her treason will
renounce,
Most humbly on her knees our grace
beseech,
And duly quote some lines of praise
for each,
Then we will pardon grant Do all
consent
(All bow.)
If not, wito the bookcase she is sent.
JuNIOR. Say something about each one of you!
I never could in the world. That's why I hate Chau-
cer so. (as she says hate Chaucer the characters all
cringe) I never could learn the old stuff. (as she
saijs old siuL/ they sigh and raise their eyes in silent
protest)
FIRST 'NUN. It will go hard with thee for that
same sin.
(SECOND NUN nods to these words.)
EMILY. Prithee, delay no longer but begin.
(The JUNIOR looks around until her eye meets the
PRIORESS.)
JUNIOR. Are vou the Prioress
PRIORESS. I am v-cleped Madame Eglantine.
JUNIOR. What rhymes with Eglantine Wine
(the PRIORESS looks duly shocked) Thine Divine

14 THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

I know. Itfs something about singing through your
nose the service divine.
FIRST NUN. The seemly way to sing.
SscoxD u.N. The seemily way.
GRISELDA. Hlcre, Eglantine, you can't take up all
day.
PRIOREss. I'd prove my vocal method without
peer.
HIIPPOLYTA. Perhaps she could.
WIFE. Suppose she does it here!
JuN-IOR. Never mind, Miss Eglaiitine. Did they
call you Sister in those days -Never mind. I'll play
your accompaniment on the piano.
ALL. Piano
JuNIoR. Why, yes, Oh I never thought that you
wouldn't know that. There's a piano.
(The following passage can be omitted if a piano is
not convenient.)
(They go over looking curiously at it. The WIFE
touches the keys by accident. ALL jump at the
sound.)
JUNIOR. What do you want to sing
PRIOREss. (slightly affected)
Alas, I cannot sing without my notes.
WIFE. Surely that is a line each reader quotes!
JUNIOR. Do you know the Yama-Yama Girl
(substitute any popular song)
(Tke PRIORESS looks blank.)
JUNIoR. Nor even the Merry Widow
PRIORESS. Why 'tis a thing that Chaucer never
had,
In his day seemly widows all were sad.
You speak of folk of whom I have no
ken.
FIRST NUN. One song, Madame, you know.

THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

SECOND NUN. 0, try it then!
(The PRIORESS sings to the tune of the Old English
Ballad, " Drink to Me Only lVith Thine Eyes.")
Oh! We are Chaucer's children here,
And well we love his name
We live in hearts that hold him dear.
Are nourished by his fame.
Oh, listen now, while thus we sing
Our songs of olden days,
When court and king and common folk
United, voiced his praise.
When I was once a little lasse
At Stratford-on-the-Bowe
I hastened daily to my classe,
My one dream was to know.
I studied there, full seemly deep,
With ne'er the smallest hint
That other maids would some day weep,
At seeing me in print.
I thought of nothing but my booke,
To make my mind grow fair
So I'm afraid I never took
The pains to do my hair!
(She looks at the JUNIOR'S hair.)
Perchance if now I went to school,
And sought its culture wide,
Of coiffures strange I'd learn the rule,
And scorn what was inside.
Oh, gentle Chaucer, could you see
The world around us here,
Perhaps you'd change your poetry
And call no pilgrim queer
And could you see the ladies' dress,

16 THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

And what they wear the while,
You'd know what made the critics guess
You had a simple style.
WIFE. (to EMILY)
Look at her smile upon that silly miss!
Look, Emilye, did we come here for this
As to her singing, well, I have heard worse!
I fear her verses will make her perverse.
PRIORESS. (to HIPPOLYTA)
To punish her would make my conscience prick.
GRISELDA. 0 Madame, be not flattered, think of
stick.
PRIORESS. Alas 'tis true!
EMILY. Fire up your dying wrath.
WIFE. (to JUNIOR)
What can you say about the Wife of Bath
JuNIOR. I don't know. I can't remember any-
thing.
WIFE. (severely)
Did you not say my hosen were of red
JUNIOR. Well, they are, aren't they
WIFE. And what of that Is that a case for
scorn
My gear is eke as fine as e'er was worn.
EMILY. What about me
JUNIOR. (puzzled) Who are you I just can't
remember.
HIPPOLYTA. Do you not recognize her by her hair
EMILY. 'Tis falling out because of grief and care!
JUNIOR. Then I suppose you're Emily. But who
is that (points to GRISELDA)
GIIISELDA. Ignorance!! (she stamps her foot)
ALL. Griselda! You impatient!
JUNIOR. Are you the one they used to call " Pa-
tient Griselda " I never should have known you.
And who are you (to HIPPOLYTA)
HIPPOLYTA. You did not mention me so I excuse

THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

Your ignorance. And yet your suit
you lose.
Come, ladies, come, draw close while
we confer,
The instruments of Justice must not
err.
(They draw together and hold a whispered consulta-
tion, the JUNIOR vainly trying to pinch herself
into reality.)
JUNOR. I know it's all a dream, but I just can't
wake myself up.
HIPPOLYTA. For her mad crime, she's judged and
in disgrace
The sentence is to put her in our
case.
(They take hold of the JUNIOR and begin pushing
her toward the bookcase at the back of the stage.)
JUNIOR. Why, I thought you were only joking.
PRIORESS. Chaucer alone it is, with whom we jest.
Come, nonnes both, and push her in
with zest.
JUNIOR. Oh, let me stay out. Don't make me go
into that stuffy bookcase. There never will be room
for me with all those other books. It will squeeze
what little I do know out of me.
(Relentless, they push her behind the curtains into
the bookcase. Her voice grows weaker, finally
dying away.)
WIFE. Life sentence is not much to pay for this.
PRIORESS. (to her NUNS who nod in agreement)
I think a little mercy not amiss.
EMILY. She's quite filled up the space that once
was ours.
HIPPOLYTA. How are we going to pass our leisure
hours

18 THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

FIRST NUN. (to SECOND)
Perhaps she'll sing again.
SECOND NUN. Perchanee she will.
WIFE. (to HIPPOLYTA)
Say something quick, that we may hold her still.
EMILY. Hark, did I hear a pleading little voice
Ah, ladies, in her punishment rejoice!
JUNIOR. (meekly, in a weak, timid tone from be-
hind the curtain) Dear ladies all, whom Father
Chaucer loved, Hippolyta, and Emily, Mrs. Wife of
Bath and Sister Prioress, and the two nuns, and
Griselda and anybody else I haven't mentioned, I'm
sorry, and I'll never do it again.
HIPPOLYTA. Justice and law demand your pun-
ishment.
PRIORESS. My tender heart would bid me cry
"relent ".
JUNIOR. (crying)
Please, ladies, for sweet Chaucer's sake.
(They look at each other, moved by the mention of
Chaucer's name.)
JUNIOR. 0 Chaucer, you who loved all people,
come to my aid!
HIPPOLYTA. Sorrow has taught the maid the
surest key,
That will unlock our hearts to
charity.
PRIORESS. Come forth, you are forgiven for your
crime,
WIFE. Our duty's done, to leave it is full time.
JUNIOR. (enters out of bookcase) I'm sure I'm
much obliged and if you'd only stay awhile longer I'd
like you to meet some of the other girls.
HIPPOLYTA. We thank you for your courtesy in-
indeed,
Since you believe, there is no further
need.

THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

(They start toward the bookcase.)
GRISELDA. From all my mates some lesson you
might learn.
EMILY. Forget us not, in case we ne'er return.
JUNIOR. Let me see, what I can learn from each:
(as she speaks each name, the character disappears in
bookcase) Griselda,-patience; Hippolyta,-cour-
tesy; the Good Wife red stockings-well, that
clothes don't matter. Emily-no rats! (hides her
face for a moment) The Prioress-(the two NUNS
disappear)
PRIORESS. Read the last line that Master Chau-
cer penned
About me, and believe it without end!
(She disappears. The JU-N-IOR looks at the bookcase
curtain which slowly stops swinging.)
JUNIOR. The last line! (she picks up the book
she hats thrown upon the floor and finds the passage)
"And thereon hung a brooch of gold full sheen,
On which there was first writ a crowned A,
And after Amor Vincit Omnia."
Amor vincit omnia, love conquers all. I believe
I do love Chaucer now. And to think they all live!
(Enter the FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORE and SENIOR.)
SENIOR. What on earth have you been doing
JUNIOR. Talking to the Canterbury Pilgrims.
SOPHOMORE. (tapping her head) Sand in her
gear box.
F' RESHMANT. I should think it would make her
crazv to study that queer English so hard!
SENIOR. Poor dear! I'm going to make some
fudge, that will make her feel better!
(They start out of the room.)
JUNIOR. Oh, girls!

1ig

20 THE BELLES OF CANTERBURY

(They stop and turn around. The JUNIOR starts io
tell them, hesitates.)
JUNIOR. They'll never believe it. But I know.
SEN-IOR. What did You call us back about
(The JUNIOR catches sight of the bookcase.)
JUNIOR. (with a little smile they do not under-
stand) Oh, nothing, I'm just glad that isn't a sec-
tional bookcase!

(The others look at her blankly.)

CURTAIN.

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What Happened to Jones
An Original Farce in Three Acts
By GEORGE H. BROADHURST

CAST OF CHARACTERS
JONES, who travels for a hymn-book house
EBENEZER GOODLY, a professor of anatomy
AN-TOXY GOODLY, D.D., Bishop of Ballarat
RICHARD HIEATHERLY, engaged to Marjorie
THOMIAS HOLDER, a policeman
WILLIAM BIGBEE, an inmate of the Sanitarium
HENRY FULLER, superintendent of the Sanitarium
MRS. GOODLY, Ebenezer's wife
CISSY, Ebenezer's ward
MARJORI 'P,`Ebenezer's daughters
MINERVA,)
ALVINA STARLIGHT, Mr. Goodly's sister
HELMA, a servant

SYNOPSIS OF SCENES
ACT 1.-Handsomely furnished room in home
of Ebenezer Goodly
ACT 2.-The same.
ACT 3.-The same.

This is the jolliest sort of a farce, clean and sparkling all the
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and the police make a raid on the "mill." The professor escapes
to his home, followed by Jones, a traveling salesman, who sells
livmn books when he can and playing cards when he cannot. Ine
police are on the trail, so Jones disguises himself by putting on a
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THE GREAT COLLEGE PLAY ENTITLED

BROWN OF HARVARD
A Play in Four Acts
By RIDA JOHNSON YOUNG

THE CAST OF CHARACTERS
ToM BRowN.
GERALD TIIORNE, stroke oar of the "Varsity Eight," who Is not hlis own
master.
WILFRED KENYON.
(LAXT0)S MADDEN,
JOHN CARTWRIGHT,
"TUBBY" ANDERSON',
"IIAPPY" THURSTON, -Students with properly developed college spirit.
WALTER BARNARD I
WARREN PIERCE, J
TIOMiPSoN, COYNE.
"BCe" I1HALL, "Varsity Coach."
VICTOR ('OLToS, who wants the English crew to defeat his Alma Mater.
CODRINOTON, lManager of the English 'rew.
ELLIS, Na3nager of the Vnrsitv crew.
CAPTAIN HlobfEs,
GEORGE SELWYN,
JAMES VAN RENSSALAER, 'Membern of the Varsity crew.
ARTIHU BLAKE,
AUSTIN LATCHOW.
OLD CLOTiHES MAN. MaRS. KENYON. MARrAn THORNE.
DOORKEEPER. EMELYN KENYON. EDITH SINCLAIR.
BUTLER.
SYNOPSIS OF SCENES.
ACT I
PLACE.-Cambridge, Mass.
ScENE.-Tom Brown's and Claxton 'Madden's apartments in "The
WVetherby," a students' apartment house.
ACT II
SCEN.-YaTrd at Harvard. The exterior of a dormitory.
ACT III
SCENE.-"The Varsity Boat ulb" on the day of the race with the
En-lish Amateurs. The scene Is laid in the large ball of the
boathouse.
ACT IV
SCEN-E-Same as Act One.
"-Rrown of Harvard" has the genuine college atmosphere, with mo-
mesnts ,f excitement and even of sentimental interest. To begin with.
lilere is. of course. Brown himself, a paragon of all the ordinary vir-
tues, with the additional and rare one of modesty. Then, there Is
Wilton Ames, who is not his own master, and Victor Colton. who
wants the English crew to defeat his Alma 'Mater, and who Is not
abvOVe Using the weaker studenl to accomplish his own villainous pur-
pose. For the rest, theyv are college bos of various types, girls of the
sort who like to come to afternoon tea in the fellows' room and who
whoop it up for tbeln when any sort of a contest is on. The play's
cti.-f appeal come-s from the fact that It reflects In its entirety the
buoyant, wholesome spirit of youth. Some lively and entertaining
glimpses of college life are shown. m Wimpses into typical student
sanetums. the fun and frolic of goodf-'ilowship. the chat of the crew,
snatches of college songs. the harmless flirtations of the town and
carmpus-these are all pleasant featuros of the piece. All this and a
stirring boat-Iace scene adl-d mnak('s a play of college life that fairly
teems with the varsity atinosphere. Ithe characters are well drawn
and there is action and movewerit tht'oughout the four ac'ts. Plays a
full evenlig. iRtL1E. 50 CE.\TS

b92-248-31689663

Electronic reproduction. 2002. (Beyond the shelf, serving historic Kentuckiana through virtual access (IMLS LG-03-02-0012-02) ; These pages may be freely searched and displayed. Permission must be received for subsequent distribution in print or electronically.

Belles of Canterbury : a Chaucer tale out of school : a play in one act for eleven girls / by Anna Bird Stewart.
Stewart, Anna Bird.

Samuel French,
New York :
1912.

20 p. ; 19 cm.
Coleman
French's international copyrighted edition of the works of the best authors, no. 246.
Microfilm. Atlanta, Ga. : SOLINET, 1994. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm. (SOLINET/ASERL Cooperative Microfilming Project (NEH PS-20317) ; SOL MN05028.05 KUK)
Printing Master B92-248.

IMLS

This electronic text file was created by Optical Character Recognition (OCR). No corrections have been made to the OCR-ed text and no editing has been done to the content of the original document. Encoding has been done through an automated process using the recommendations for Level 1 of the TEI in Libraries Guidelines. Digital page images are linked to the text file.

THE BELLES OF

CANTERBURY

A CHAUCER TALE OUT OF SCHOOL

2l Plan in One Ect for Eleven 1trio

ANNA BIRD STEWART,

A.M.

DLI)ICATll) l ()
M 1IS8 1) 0 I()I'l-IY' ('ON R F V

CoPyRIrIII 1912 BY SAMUEL FRENCH

NOTICE. -The Professional acting rights of this play ar